Choosing the Right College for You

Choosing the Right College for You

As high school students, your experiences right now are probably pretty much like some of ours: Thanks to your high PSAT score, you have college brochures stacked in banana boxes. It’s often hard to tell them apart, but your mom has read every last one. Relatives and friends all seem to have an opinion. You always thought you wanted to go to school X, but when you visited there, it didn’t feel quite right. And, frankly, you are rather busy with high school right now.

You have never done anything like a college search before, yet it’s one of the key decisions of your life. The “fit” of a college is critical to your happiness and ultimate success. This is not buying a car. It’s more like dating. Many schools might offer a high-quality program—and we certainly think you will find our program merits its reputation—but not all of them will match your personality and value system. There is no “best school,” only the right school for you.

We remember what it was like to be in your shoes, and we wrote these words with you in mind. We made the videos. This is us—students, alumni, and professors—talking about a place we love to help you decide if we are right for you. And while we welcome those of you who will come and create our future, we also hope that our experience will help you as you seek the college that will bring out the best in you.

After you read the coming pages, please let us know what else you might want to know about the Cook Honors College at IUP.